Blood Lab.
 
 

Virtually all animals that have blood - a circulating fluid to carry nutrients and wastes - have specialized cells and cell-level structures that circulate in that blood - these are the formed or cellular elements. In this lab, we will look at such blood components and compare various animals' blood.

We will begin with human blood cells. Using the tables, charts, and class descriptions as a guide, search for the various types of blood cells. Some should be much more common than others. White blood cells often spread to the fringes of a smear, so that may be the best place to look. On the lab answer sheet, in the proper spaces, draw (and label with descriptors when necessary) the cells for each box. Look also for platelets, blood clotting elements which are like cell fragments.


After you have familiarized yourself with human blood, we will run blood comparisons with various other animals. Take a good, ranging look at the blood from the animals listed on the second chart, then fill in the boxes for red and white cells and any other pertinent similarities or differences. You do not have to do the comparisons in the order followed by the chart, as long as you get them all done.

 

 
 
Cell Type How Common? Relative Size Key Features Role
Red Blood Cells Everywhere Small No nucleus, light stain. Oxygen carrier.
WBC - Neutrophil Very Medium Bluish, Many-lobed nucleus Phagocytosis.
WBC - Eosinophil Uncommon Medium Reddish Grains, 2-lobed

nucleus

 Used against parasites.
WBC - Basophil Very Rare Medium Large Blue Grains, multi-lobed nucleus Release histamines, attract phagocytes.
WBC - Lymphocyte Common Medium - Large Nucleus fills most of oval cell Immune reactions.
WBC - Monocyte Rare Large "C"-Shaped, not-centered nucleus Phagocytosis.
Platelet Common Very Small Small bluish cell "flecks". Clotting.
  



 

 
Blood Lab Answer Sheet.
 
 
Human Blood Diagrams. 		 
   

Draw a simple diagram for each of

the blood cells listed in each box

provided. Put pertinent labels for color

or other details not clear in the drawing.

 

 Red Blood Cells.
Neutrophil













Eosinophil
Basophil













Lymphocyte

Monocyte











Platelets
  
Blood Comparisons.
ANIMAL RED BLOOD CELLS WHITE BLOOD CELLS OTHER DETAILS
 

FISH

 

 

      
 

 

FROG

 

 

      
 

 

REPTILE
Circle:  SNAKE or
TURTLE

 

      
 

 

BIRD or CHICK

 

 

      
 

 

ARTHROPOD
Circle:  CRAYFISH or GRASSHOPPER

 

      


First Written 1990;  Last Update 2003;  Web Version 2001,  M. McDarby

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